Chapter Nineteen

“I never thought this plan would work so well.” Marlis chuckled as she gazed at the domed half-skull that sat on the table. Relishing its cool bone-smoothness, she stroked it with her long fingers.

“Wilda dear, I hope you are proud of me and what I’ve accomplished.” Picking it up, she kissed the skull. “The only reason I am here is because of you. Hagen is completely mine, he listens only to me.” Her eyes shone. “I no longer hide what I am. I walk freely, your metal staff in hand, and they fear me. They try not to show it, but I see it in their eyes.”

Her smile widened as she remembered Hagen readily accepting her gift, like he’d accepted her other gifts, commenting on the modesty of this one, a simple woven band that he’d allowed her to fasten to his wrist. Marlis had to admit her surprise at how quickly the spell had bound him. He’d asked for her before the day was out, then he’d demanded her presence, and within days, she was sharing his bed.

Getting to her feet, she smoothed the front of her black dress. She’d insisted the weaver-women make dresses for her like the one she’d worn to the blessing ceremony. Although that had been shaped by magic, she’d enjoyed the reaction from Garnet when she’d said the red thread that laced the sides reflected her defeat of Ruby.

She tossed her black hair over her shoulders and took hold of the staff. For the time being, she’d decided to remove the skull from the rounded top of the staff. Her smile widened at the memory of facing the gem elves. “Do they think me dead in this realm? Do they think their precious elf lord is safe from me? Soon, he will be mine and my powers will–”

Crying out, the staff fell from her hand as she doubled over, hands clutching her chest and belly. Gasping for breath, she tried to straighten, but dropped to her knees. A shiver crept up her spine, her scalp prickled as sibilant whisperings crept towards her. “Gadreena, I was not–”

The whisperings surrounded her, taking on a discordant tone as black mist wrapped around her.

“I was not defying you. I would never do that.” Fighting for breath, biting back her frustration at not being allowed to speak, she bent over, touching her forehead to the fleece rug. “With the elf lord, my powers will be more. I will bring more to worship you. That is my plan. My only plan.”

Slowly, the whisperings ceased, and the black mist rolled away.

Marlis waited until the pain subsided before she hauled herself up. Breathing heavily, heat rushing through her body, she wrapped her fingers tightly around the cool metal of the staff.

Tapping her head repeatedly against it, she whispered, “Marlis, Marlis. Why did you not think before cursing that baby? Why sixteen years, why not sooner? And why did you choose a spindle to carry the curse? Ah, Wilda, your relentless talk of your mama and her spindle made me think of nothing else. Was that why I made it part of the curse? Now I have to carry this thing with me, constantly infusing it with magic.” Almost wand-like in appearance, the dark wood spindle hung from her belt, its bulbous end tapering down to a sharpened point.

Her mouth turned down as she straightened. “At the time, I believed it to be striking and dramatic, letting her live long enough to cherish life, but why did I choose to be so precise, so obscure? I could just as easily have had her choke on an apple and die.”

With a curse, she strode out of the chamber. Walking down the corridor past the cowering servants, Marlis slowed as she neared the main hall. Schooling her expression into one of quiet adoration, she stepped in the side door. She stayed where she was, her dark gaze sweeping the hall.

Each day, fewer men came to sit at the tables in the hall that was now empty of dogs for the beasts refused to be anywhere near her. But Hagen’s advisors remained by his side even though he barely listened to them now.

There was one who stayed even closer to Hagen, regardless of whether Marlis was present or not. Sweyn, Hagen’s good friend and loyal soldier, now spent most of his time in the hall since Marlis had begun living there. Slightly taller than Hagen, much thinner, he wore his mouse-brown hair in one thick braid down his back.

A young girl sat at the table closest to Hagen, an older woman by her side. The girl’s auburn hair hung in braids on either side of her pale face. She turned her light brown eyes to Marlis, and instantly narrowed them.

“Marlis. There you are.” Hagen had risen from his seat, only then noticing her standing to the side. “Come, talk sense to me. These fools fill my ears with meaningless words.”

She smiled and went to him, reaching out to slip her hand in his. “What would my lord have me say?” A soft laugh escaped her as he kissed her palm.

“Tell me more of what you spoke of last night, about allying myself with this king from the south.”

“My lord.” Otho stepped forward. “We still maintain that is not a good idea, singling out one king without first speaking with Emperor Kelvan.”

Hagen kept his gaze on Marlis as he replied. “I am chief, and I will do as I please.”

“But–”

“Your chief has spoken,” said Marlis. “Why do you continue to question him?”

Otho fixed her with an unblinking stare. He said nothing, but his grey eyes seemed to bore into her.

You have yet to show fear, thought Marlis. I must find a way to get rid of you.

Still holding her hand, Hagen started to walk down the hall.

“That this king, Edmund, has replied to your messages, even sending a gift, is a good sign.” Marlis quickened her pace so she was walking alongside him. “As I’ve already told you, he has a son. Invite them to stay so his son and Agata can spend time together then propose an alliance by marriage.”

Hagen stopped and turned again, this time facing the young girl, his ward.

Shifting in her seat, her frown deepening, Agata leaned back.

“He is of marriageable age, this son of Edmund?”

“Yes, I believe he is a year or so older than Agata.”

He slowly began to nod.

“Uncle, no.” Agata shot to her feet, palms flat on the table.

The woman by her side was also on her feet, eyes wide, hand covering her mouth as distressed, surprised mutterings rose from the advisors.

“How will this benefit me? Edmund is rich?”

Marlis shrugged. “I do not know.”

“Then why would–”

“It is not his riches or lands that will add to your power but his son.” Leaning against him, her fingers absently stroked the band she’d tied to his wrist.

“Uncle–”

“Be quiet! I will not discuss such matters with a child.”

Agata gasped, her hand flying to her chest.

Otho stepped forward. “My lord–”

“No one speaks to me unless I will it.” Lips pulled back, his teeth bared, Hagen looked as if he was about to pounce like a maddened dog.

Otho stopped, his breathing loud in the silent hall. Glancing at the woman, he twitched his head. Putting her arms around Agata, she ushered the young girl towards the side doors.

“Calm yourself, my love,” said Marlis softly, her fingers still on the band.

Taking a deep breath, he turned to face her. “So, it is his son I need.”

She nodded.

“I suppose I will have to trust that when he is here, all will be revealed as to how he will make me a powerful chief.” Winding a lock of her black hair around his finger, he gently tugged at it.

“The most powerful chief of chiefs.”

“I like how that sounds,” he said with a laugh. “Chief of chiefs.” Then he pulled her close for a kiss.

Agata burst into her chamber, marched to her bed and grabbed a pillow. She proceeded to thump it and slam it on the bed before grasping it in both hands and twisting. “If only this was her neck.”

“Oh, my dear child, do not say such things.” The woman wrung her hands as she blinked back tears.

“Why shouldn’t I, Heida? She is a wicked woman.” Her braids whipped about her as she turned sharply. “Did you see what she was doing?” Agata’s eyes were stretched wide. “I knew there was something wrong, and today I saw it with my own eyes. She’s done something to Uncle with that band that’s on his wrist.”

Heida quickly went to her side. “Agata, child, please. Be careful what you say.”

“But did you see?”

She nodded, silver-grey tendrils of hair wafting on either side of her lined face. “Yes, yes, I saw.”

“She is not of our goddess–”

“Hush.” Heida clamped her hand over Agata’s mouth, her wide-eyed gaze darting about. Signalling her to stay quiet, she moved to her bed, which was next to Agata’s. Slowly lowering herself to her knees, she reached under and pulled out a medium-sized chest.

Agata helped her up and held her hands out as Heida reached into the chest and took out various herbs and twigs. Half-running to the door, Agata sprinkled the herbs across the door and stuck the twigs into the door lock. She then took the fat, white candle from Heida and lit it while the older woman sprinkled herbs in a circle.

They knelt in the herb-circle, the lit candle between them. Agata waited as Heida cradled a smooth, white egg-shaped stone in her hands. As she put her own hands over it, she heard her companion whisper Una’s name; the stone had belonged to the lady, along with the chest and its contents.

Both spoke the words. “We call on our mother goddess. Shield us, Nadlina, protect us from prying eyes and unwelcome attention.”

Agata felt a warmth radiating from the stone.

Heida frowned and gestured for Agata to lean closer. “Release your anger.” She tapped the girl on the forehead with her finger. “We cannot do this safely if you hold onto it.”

As Heida continued tapping her, Agata breathed deep. Her puckered brow gradually smoothed and her body relaxed.

“I saw it too, my dear,” said Heida softly as she leaned back. “I had my suspicions when his behaviour began to change into something so unlike him.”

“When she touched the band, his anger grew.”

“Yes, that is when I knew.” Her brows drew together. “That staff she holds…”

“What of it?”

“I’m sure I’ve seen one like it before.”

Agata straightened. “Where?”

“Shh. Years before, when my lady Una was newly married to the chief. There was a woman, an old woman…” Her voice faded as she receded into memory.

Agata started to fidget as she lost her fight to remain patient. “What old woman? What happened to her?”

A heavy sigh fell from Heida’s lips. “She was punished for her dark arts–”

“She was practicing dark magic?” Agata’s brows shot up. “Here, in the city?”

Heida nodded. “Although I’m sure there was another. A daughter. Or was it her granddaughter? It was only the old woman who was punished, that I do remember.”

“Did she have a–”

“Ah! There was a younger woman. She was banished.”

They fell silent.

Agata stared at the candle flame, which moved lightly, teased by their breath. “Heida. Do you think, could Marlis be?” She raised her gaze to meet Heida’s rheumy eyes.

“If that is the old woman’s staff.” Heida left the sentence unfinished.

Agata’s hands slipped off the stone. Her shoulders sagged, and she hugged herself. Despite the warmth from the fireplace, she shivered. “I’m afraid, Heida. What if I lose Uncle forever? I don’t want to lose anyone else.” Her mouth turned down as tears filled her eyes.

Still holding the stone, Heida struggled to move, but she leaned forward. “Hush, my love.” Her arm around the young girl, she pulled her close. “I will try to stop–”

“No.” Agata clutched at the woman’s arms. “What if she hurts you too? You mustn’t, Heida.”

“I will be careful.”

She continued to shake her head. “No. She doesn’t know we have Lady Una’s things, she doesn’t know you’re teaching me the goddess’ ways.”

“But–”

“Let me help you.”

“No.” Heida pulled back. “I will not put you in danger.”

“Two will be better than one. We can protect each other. Please, Heida. You and Uncle are all I have. Please. I will be careful, I promise.”

After an age, Heida’s chin lowered to her chest and she let out a long sigh. “Then we will be careful together.”